Wyatt/Taker.... How Do You Book It?

[OYDK]

Last night on Raw, Bray Wyatt cut a promo (on The Undertaker) that basically guaranteed that the heavily rumored Wyatt/Taker match will indeed be happening this year at Wrestlemania. Now I've heard a lot of mixed perceptions on this match, with the majority of the IWC it seems, not really wanting this match to happen at all. Up until now, the match has relatively just been a rumor, but I think last night can put most doubts out of our heads and we can assume that this match is going to happen, like it or not.

Personally, I'm excited about a Wyatt/Undertaker match as it's been one of my fantasy matches ever since Bray debuted in the WWE... I would have been sorely disappointed if this match never happened, because the story just writes itself. My dilemma is with how to go about booking this program as there are a crazy amount of routes WWE can go with this. I'd be interested to see how others on this site would like to see this feud play out, or if they want to see it at all.

My questions to you are:
Does this match interest you?

How do you go about booking this program from now until Wrestlemania?

Who do you ultimately want to see walk out of Wrestlemania with the win?

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Don't see the point in it. Actually I don't see the point in Undertaker anymore now there's no Streak.

It doesn't matter how it happens. My guess is Wyatt just mentions him and eventually he shows up.

Should the match occurs Wyatt should win. Give the younger guy the rub and then next year they can have a retirement story centred on Undertaker having lost it.

 

[Navi]

First of all are we even sure that Taker is going to be in shape to wrestle at Mania? Just because Wyatt did a promo does that mean anything, the guy is nuts. He has no history at all with Taker, not that this has stopped him in the past, he just seems to start and end feuds for no rhyme or reason. And they wonder why his gimmick doesn't work.

Do I want to see this match? Answer is short and simple, no. I would have liked to see this last year instead of Taker/Lesnar. Wyatt could have used the rub of ending the streak more than Lesnar did, but Vince in his infinite wisdom decided that wasn't to be.

Also don't see any program happening. Taker hasn't wrestled in a year, what reason would he have for just showing up one night on RAW to cut a promo on Wyatt. The whole thing makes no sense at all.

As for who would win? Now that the streak is over there is no reason for Taker to even enter a ring again. As I said earlier Wyatt could have used that to propel himself forward, but they didn't do that. Does anyone want to see Taker come back and lose to Bray Wyatt? And does Bray Wyatt really need another loss to a big time star? He needs some wins in his column.

 

[Mustang Sally]

The only interest I have in this match is that Undertaker is in it. I didn't like the idea of his storied career finishing with a loss at Wrestlemania.....I didn't care who he lost to, I just didn't want his career to end like that.

Build-up to this match? Look, I would presume all we're gonna get from Mark Calaway is a few non-violent walk-on appearances leading up the big event, no? Whatever promoting they're going to do will come from Bray, right? Sure, they might show 'Taker bruised and bleeding from a backstage beating which we won't get to witness, with a shot of Bray braying in delight.....but I would think the only actual fighting will take place on the night of WM31.

You either want to see this or you don't. Personally, I'm disappointed 'Takers (presumed) last match will feature Bray Wyatt as an opponent.....there's no history between the two and no apparent reason for them to be fighting now except for what they can come up with before April......but watching Undertaker go to the well one more time is something I wouldn't want to miss.

He has to win....that's a must.....and the company has demonstrated it has no problem with Bray being defeated.....so the outcome isn't really in doubt, imo.

Brock Lesnar beat Undertaker, you say?.....Fine, but Bray Wyatt ain't no Brock Lesnar.

 

[stingray11214]

Two words.....You DON'T! This does zilch for either. Nobody in their right frame of mind is going to book this. If Wyatt wins, Taker's legacy is in the crapper. Losing to Lesnar is one thing. Losing to a schmuck like Wyatt is a whole different animal. If Taker wins? So what? Big deal. Means bupkis as Wyatt has become a glorified jobber to the stars. So, you would want Taker to lose to this?!?

Let Taker retire in peace, please! Remember what he did, and cheer like madman when he goes into the HoF next year.

 

[OYDK]

First of all are we even sure that Taker is going to be in shape to wrestle at Mania? Just because Wyatt did a promo does that mean anything, the guy is nuts. He has no history at all with Taker, not that this has stopped him in the past, he just seems to start and end feuds for no rhyme or reason. And they wonder why his gimmick doesn't work.

I highly doubt that WWE would give Wyatt the go-ahead to start building towards a Mania match with Taker, if Taker was not 100% confirmed to wrestle. We're what, 2 months away from Wrestlemania? His promo consisted of "They used to fear you so much/now they cheer you"... I think it's pretty obvious where this is headed. He may not have a past with Taker, but he's definitely the most "Taker-esque" superstar we've had in a while, which is reason enough for me.

Taker's a tough guy... he had a concussion which he's had a year to heal up. Why wouldn't he be in shape? The way some people talk, you'd think Taker was crippled by Lesnar last year. He's 49. If Terry Funk can wrestle at 70 years old, Flair can wrestle at 65, Lawler at 63, I'm sure Taker can wrestle one match a year for a little while longer if he chooses to.

Also don't see any program happening. Taker hasn't wrestled in a year, what reason would he have for just showing up one night on RAW to cut a promo on Wyatt. The whole thing makes no sense at all.

As for who would win? Now that the streak is over there is no reason for Taker to even enter a ring again. As I said earlier Wyatt could have used that to propel himself forward, but they didn't do that. Does anyone want to see Taker come back and lose to Bray Wyatt? And does Bray Wyatt really need another loss to a big time star? He needs some wins in his column.

Yeah, this is what I was kind of thinking as well, which is why I have such a hard time booking this match in my head. I'd like to see Taker appear maybe 3 times from Fast Lane until Mania and actually do his part in building this match up, but I see him appearing maybe once... As for the outcome, I can see backlash no matter who wins... which makes it intriguing, one must admit.

 

[laodaron]

Last reports were that The Undertaker has not been training for a match this year. Undertaker usually trains for a very long time before his WM matches.

He also prefers the superstars to be able to come to Texas exclusively for the build up to training and choreograph the spots. I cannot imagine for the LIFE of me that The Undertaker, one of the most professional guys in the business, is going to have a match with the most overrated guy on the Main Roster, and the least in ring talented guy on the Main Roster, and not have him in Texas to be choreographing the entire match so that a repeat of last year doesn't happen.

This might happen, and if it does, the booking will be atrocious. It will be long-winded promos of Bray Wyatt, old shaved head GrandpaTaker showing up and giving the spooky eyes, and a horribly subpar match for a man who is considered almost universally as one of the greatest stars in the business that ever lived.

 

[Sexcellence of Sexecution]

No. I do not want to see this match and nobody else does either. Some people think they want to see this match, but what they really want is a match between Bray Wyatt and an Undertaker that isn't a shell of his former self. Honestly, I'm not even interested in a Taker/Sting match at this point and I think that the end if the streak should mark the end of the Undertaker's career.

Having Undertaker wrestle again greatly diminishes Brock Lesnar's accomplishment last year and having him lose completely diminishes it. Brock Lesnar is repeatedly called the 1 in 21-1, you can't be the 1 in 21-2. So with this match you are really faced with a lose lose scenario. If Bray goes over, beating the Undertaker at Wrestlemania is no longer special and it tarnishes the crazy moment from last year, if Undertaker goes over, Bray got beat by a grandpa.

Don't book the match at all.

 

[Hakushi]

Just like they are. You can't have Bray wanting to simply win the match. You have to have him seeking something "More", Like the "title" of Phenom etc.... "Winning" against Taker at this point does nothing big for Wyatt, but doesn't help Taker if the Sting/Taker match is a go for next year. (I could do without it). I really enjoy the Wyatt character and hope he can continue to evolve (much like Taker has). His promos are flawless and ALWAYS have a point to them, even if not identifiable initially. IE, for his first few of his "newest" set of his promos ended with him saying "Run!" menacingly. I imagine that was before WWE was confident that Taker would be available. His last promo ended with "Find Me". Again, speculation that WWE is confident that Taker will perform, but I really wonder what the backup plan is that would make these promos work with anyone else.

 

[Aeon Mathix]

I wouldn't book this at all. This is a terrible idea given Undertaker's streak was broken and Wyatt has nothing to gain off beating Undertaker at Wrestlemania now because someone has already done AND got the push that went along with it. Not too mention how terrible Undertaker looked at Wrestlemania 30 and the fact that Bray isn't exactly Shawn Michaels in the ring.

I am over Bray Wyatt at this point. Every feud he has been in has been the exact same thing after another. We have no idea what his motives are for attacking whoever he does attack, he doesn't explain it just says jibberish and it's supposed to be "cryptic" or something, the feud ends with no rhyme or reason and Wyatt moves on to another one. How many people has he tried to "save" exactly? Even the ones he did beat like Jericho and Ambrose what was the point? It's such a headache and has overstayed it's welcome. It's almost as if Bray is phoning it in at this point and just rehashes what he says but uses some different words.

The guy was great in NXT but it hasn't translated that well over to the main roster. That isn't completely on him though but more of WWE's infamous booking style we have all grown to complain about. A match with the Undertaker is not necessary in any way shape or form. If Wyatt wins we all go collectively "so what?" if Taker wins we all say "well he already lost at Wrestlemania so it's not like it matters". It just seems like a desperate attempt at having eerie personalities collide with each other. The build up will be shit as have all of Wyatt's build ups in his feuds and the match could be just as shit.

Have Wyatt win the battle royal for all I care and if they MUST bring back the dead man, give him a year off to rest up for Sting in Dallas next year. I don't care about that match either nor have I ever saw the appeal of it but that is a story for another time and what I've said in about 1000 of Sting vs Undertaker threads.

 

[rmp0012002]

What is the big deal with a Taker/Sting match? I don't want to see two old men past their prime wrestle, there's zero reason for it. Vince already killed Taker's legacy by having the streak ended by a part-timer so what is a match with Wyatt suppose to accomplish? If Taker is going to retire then fine, have him go over Wyatt and go out controlling the dark side, but other than that Wyatt isn't deserving of having the deadman put him over at WM just as Brock wasn't. Taker just looks beat down and old, especially out of costume, so have him interfere in the Lesnar/Reigns match as payback for Brock beating him last year.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

This could be a very interesting match, but I think to make it work properly and get people interested in it, Undertaker needs to show up very soon and then appear on TV on a weekly basis, appearing in Wyatt's matches, cutting promos on the Titantron and trying to get inside the head of Wyatt. A one-off appearance answering Bray's cahllenge won't work.

Wyatt is meant to be a cult leader isn't he? One little thing I'd like to see is for Undertaker to appear on Raw or Smackdown, coming to the ring with his druids...only for Wyatt to appear and blindside 'Taker, leaving him beaten down in the centre of the ring...Bray heads up the ramp then turns to the druids, arms outstreched and chanting. The druids turn and follow Bray up the ramp having joined his "family".

Then at Wrestlemania, Bray comes out to the ring, but instead of just being lit by the light of his lantern, he has the druids all holding lanterns along the ramp as he makes his entrance.

Only a little thing, but it would show Wyatt's brainwashing ability and would lead to a special entrance. It could be pretty cool.

 

[MCMG]

At first, I was sceptical but all of a sudden I'm interested. It's Taker and nostalgia alone makes me excited. Option one is Bray beats Taker. Undertaker retires and that's Bray's huge rub. He put the final nail in the coffin.

Option two is where I think they will go even if I'm not sure how they do this. I would personally like to see Taker in his regular clothes. Maybe even come out to his theme song from around 2003. He then teases retirement only for Bray to attack him and their build-up to Mania is about Bray trying to bring out the monster in Taker. Or at least proving he killed The Undertaker once and for all. This build-up wouldn't require a lot of time either. Indeed, there would only need to be two or three physical confrontations with Bray getting the better of all of them.

At WM30, Taker lost to Brock and became human. At WM32 Taker is probably going to wrestle Sting and he will need to be The Undertaker (probably for the last time). This match with Wyatt can be about him becoming that bigger than life character one more time. The crowd will lose their shit when that gong hits at WM31 and the Taker that everyone has loved for all these years comes out.

 

[tjmarrs714]

This could be a very interesting match, but I think to make it work properly and get people interested in it, Undertaker needs to show up very soon and then appear on TV on a weekly basis, appearing in Wyatt's matches, cutting promos on the Titantron and trying to get inside the head of Wyatt. A one-off appearance answering Bray's cahllenge won't work.

Wyatt is meant to be a cult leader isn't he? One little thing I'd like to see is for Undertaker to appear on Raw or Smackdown, coming to the ring with his druids...only for Wyatt to appear and blindside 'Taker, leaving him beaten down in the centre of the ring...Bray heads up the ramp then turns to the druids, arms outstreched and chanting. The druids turn and follow Bray up the ramp having joined his "family".

Then at Wrestlemania, Bray comes out to the ring, but instead of just being lit by the light of his lantern, he has the druids all holding lanterns along the ramp as he makes his entrance.

Only a little thing, but it would show Wyatt's brainwashing ability and would lead to a special entrance. It could be pretty cool.

Dude, I love this idea! It would add so much to the feud that I will actually be kinda disappointed if it doesn't happen.

As for the booking I'd have Bray cut a few more cryptic promos with each one becoming more obvious that he's talking about Taker, including one with him in a graveyard, leading to Taker returning to the Raw after Fast Lane.

I would have Bray come out at some point during the feud to elaborate more on when he said "I've been watching you" line. Bray would talk about how he used to Watch Taker as a child and how Taker was the main catalyst to him becoming the monster that he became. But eventually his idol became mortal and now he's either going to bring the dead man back, or he's going to die trying.

Don't really understand all the negativity towards Taker all of a sudden though. His legacy isn't dead just because his streak is over. He's still The Undertaker, his whole career consisted of more than just the streak, that was just one element to his character. To say that he has nothing else to offer is ludicrous to me. If he lost fifty WM's in a row or even if it never existed he would still be one of the greatest legends. His legacy is secure.

I could see the victory going to either man.

Bray could win then go on to be the 2 in 21 and 2 and be built up similar to how Lesnar was with almost the same amount of success. Reigns or whoever could be the ones to defeat both the people who beat Taker at WM. The gift that keeps on giving.

Taker could win and become "The Dead Man" again then go on to face Sting next year.

I was a bit skeptical at first but this feud would actually be one of the very few highlights of current WWE.

 

[MilesKane]

Wyatt goes over after dominating Taker then Rollins tries to cash in after Reigns loses, Rollins gets F5'd before he can cash in. Light black out Wyatt with the brief case and Lesnar mysteriously down, plays with the fans a little then pins Lesnar.

 

[willross]

I don't like it for one reason and that is there is no way WWE beats Taker at Mania twice, let alone twice in a row.

Will it elevate Wyatt in the eye of the casual fan, yes briefly. Will the storyline leading up be amazing, mixing the characters and the mind games, absolutely. But long term, Wyatt is doing a filler feud and will need to go higher than Taker following Mania. The only thing I see is that he goes to Reigns immediately after Mania.

This match is one year too late for me. Had Wyatt gone in, as red hot and fresh as he was last year, 0-0 at Mania to face 21-0 Undertaker, there would have been significantly more intrigue in the match. Without the streak, Taker matches really have no intrigue cause the whole excitement was "does the streak end now".

Taker/Sting is the only truly special match Taker has left. Will Wyatt/Taker be good, yes very likely. But it will lack a great deal of that special feel that would have been there last year.

 

[The Warlord]

Theres no reason for Taker to win this match. The streak is already over...and you have a golden oppurtunity to build a young rising star. Not to mention Wyatt lost last year to Cena in a match he should have gone over in.

I would have this be a casket match and have the Wyatts reform and take out the deadman.

Next year Undertaker can be inducted into the Hall of Fame in Texas.

For the people who said Taker lost to the wrong guy last year...well you cant say the same this time. There is no better guy to hand the torch to than Bray Wyatt. If there was ever going to be another "Undertaker" phenom in the WWE...its the Eater of Worlds.

Follow the buzzards

 

[rmp0012002]

People are coming up with these matches for Taker but they're years late and Taker looks like crap health wise. How come nobody gives Taker crap about being a part-timer, one match a year, and jumping into a spot at WM? No streak just makes him a has been and nothing special. Wyatt vs Taker would have been a great feud years back with the forces of evil against each other but just doesn't stir any interest in me now. I guess if he makes it to Texas Stadium for WM32 as people want we can have Sting and Taker retire at the same time.